Give the gift of Christmas joy

With only weeks left until Christmas, the Oxford Neighborhood Services Center needs the community's help to provide gifts for the children of families in need in the Oxford Area School District.

“This program makes such an incredible impact on the lives of children in our area,” said Cheryl McConnell, executive director of the Oxford Neighborhood Services Center. “Every child should experience the joy of opening presents on Christmas morning.”

There are two Christmas programs run by the Oxford Neighborhood Services Center: the Christmas Room and Adopt-A-Family. In the Christmas Room, families can choose new, unwrapped gifts for their children. For the Adopt-A-Family program, generous community members or businesses may choose to sponsor a family. Those choosing to participate in the Adopt-A-Family program will be provided with the wish list from the children of that family.

This is the 23rd year for these programs. Last year, 47 families were able to provide gifts for 114 children through the Christmas Room, and 57 families with 125 children were served through the Adopt-A-Family program.

New, unwrapped toys and clothing items for the Christmas Room will be accepted at Oxford Neighborhood Services Center at 35 North Third Street, Oxford through Monday, Dec. 16. If you would like to adopt a family, or if you have questions, call 610-932-8557 or stop by the office.

The Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center has been a cornerstone of Oxford and the surrounding townships for more than four decades. The commitment of the agency’s staff and board to helping their neighbors in need has never wavered. The multi-faceted agency is the heart and soul of the Oxford area, providing income-eligible individuals and families with the safety-net services to meet their most basic needs.

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